"I must take leave to observe, Sir Walter," said Mr Shepherd one

morning at Kellynch Hall, as he laid down the newspaper, "that the

present juncture is much in our favour. This peace will be turning all

our rich naval officers ashore. They will be all wanting a home.

Could not be a better time, Sir Walter, for having a choice of tenants,

very responsible tenants. Many a noble fortune has been made during

the war. If a rich admiral were to come in our way, Sir Walter--"

"He would be a very lucky man, Shepherd," replied Sir Walter; "that's

all I have to remark. A prize indeed would Kellynch Hall be to him;

rather the greatest prize of all, let him have taken ever so many

before; hey, Shepherd?"

Mr Shepherd laughed, as he knew he must, at this wit, and then added-"I presume to observe, Sir Walter, that, in the way of business,

gentlemen of the navy are well to deal with. I have had a little

knowledge of their methods of doing business; and I am free to confess

that they have very liberal notions, and are as likely to make

desirable tenants as any set of people one should meet with.

Therefore, Sir Walter, what I would take leave to suggest is, that if

in consequence of any rumours getting abroad of your intention; which

must be contemplated as a possible thing, because we know how difficult

it is to keep the actions and designs of one part of the world from the

notice and curiosity of the other; consequence has its tax; I, John

Shepherd, might conceal any family-matters that I chose, for nobody

would think it worth their while to observe me; but Sir Walter Elliot

has eyes upon him which it may be very difficult to elude; and

therefore, thus much I venture upon, that it will not greatly surprise

me if, with all our caution, some rumour of the truth should get

abroad; in the supposition of which, as I was going to observe, since

applications will unquestionably follow, I should think any from our

wealthy naval commanders particularly worth attending to; and beg leave

to add, that two hours will bring me over at any time, to save you the

trouble of replying."

Sir Walter only nodded. But soon afterwards, rising and pacing the

room, he observed sarcastically-"There are few among the gentlemen of the navy, I imagine, who would

not be surprised to find themselves in a house of this description."

"They would look around them, no doubt, and bless their good fortune,"

said Mrs Clay, for Mrs Clay was present: her father had driven her

over, nothing being of so much use to Mrs Clay's health as a drive to

Kellynch: "but I quite agree with my father in thinking a sailor might

be a very desirable tenant. I have known a good deal of the

profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful

in all their ways! These valuable pictures of yours, Sir Walter, if

you chose to leave them, would be perfectly safe. Everything in and

about the house would be taken such excellent care of! The gardens and

shrubberies would be kept in almost as high order as they are now. You

need not be afraid, Miss Elliot, of your own sweet flower gardens being

neglected."




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